Are you thinking of becoming a vegetarian? Or maybe you have a vegetarian friend? Here's some key health information about being a vegetarian.

Why become a vegetarian?

People choose to be vegetarians for all sorts of reasons. Some common reasons someone may consider a meatless diet:

animal rights

environmental concerns

religious beliefs

health and well-being

personal likes and dislikes

Whatever your reason, it's important to keep your health and nutrition in mind when deciding what to eat.

Does becoming a vegetarian mean I can’t eat fish or eggs?

Not necessarily. There are many different ways to be a vegetarian. Here are some different types of vegetarians:

Vegans. They don't eat any type of animal product, including:

eggs

dairy products

Lacto vegetarians. They eat dairy, but they don't eat:

meat

poultry

fish

eggs

Lacto-ovo vegetarians. They eat dairy and eggs, but they don't eat:

meat

poultry

fish

Pesco-vegetarians or pescetarians. They include fish in their diet, but they don't eat:

meat

poultry

With so many options, you can pick the diet that works best for you.

Is a vegetarian diet healthier than a meat-eating diet?

Studies show that vegetarians may be at lower risk for some diseases and conditions, including:

heart disease

high blood pressure

diabetes

some forms of cancer

obesity

Will I need to take a vitamin?

Sometimes, vegetarians do not get essential nutrients found in meat, such as:

protein

iron

calcium

vitamin D

vitamin B12

zinc

Usually, you can get these nutrients from other food besides meat. But sometimes a daily multivitamin can be helpful. Talk to your doctor about the best way to make sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs.

What types of food should I eat?

The key to a healthy vegetarian diet is variety. This means you should try to eat a mix of foods that includes: